“I’m not saying I’m doing anything. I might not do anything ever again on the track. But when I found out about the rule change [meaning riders must qualify for World Cup events], I thought I better do one in case I want to do the track.”

Prior to three days’ training at the Manchester Velodrome this week, Cavendish had not ridden on the track in more than a year and it is the first time he has represented Britain in the discipline since the 2009 World Championships in Poland.

“The scratch was primarily a bit of a warm-up for the madison,” he said.

“I felt all right. Ignoring the result, I got what I wanted out of it.”

Cavendish won the world madison titles in 2005, with Rob Hayles, and 2008, with Sir Bradley Wiggins.